BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 892, 4 May 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, May 2. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Hawkins, Parsons, Allwright, Cunningham, McDonald, and Holmes. Correspondence was read from the Chief Gaoler of Lyttelton Gaol, stating he had been directed by the visiting Justices to call Council’s attention to employment of prison labor on Governor’s Bay rocd, as the distance from the gaol was detrimental to safe custody and discipline, and they deemed it requisite to direct the withdrawal of prisoners from this work after 31st December next. The early information was given that the labor might be so utilised that the road might bo finished by the period named. It was estimated the work might be completed in five or six months. From Lyttelton Harbor Board, acknowledging receipt of Council’s letter enclosing resolution passed in reference to fencing and conveyance of time ball tower site, and stating the Board had passed the following resolution, viz., “That the offer of the Government in reference to the handing over the funds for the completion of laying-out the grounds, &c., at the time ball tower site, be accepted.” Instructions for the necessary survey would be given as soon as possible. As the matter so largely concerned the Council, the Chairman asked if the Council’s overseer, Mr Sowden, would see the work carried out in accordance with the Council’s wishes, and also if Mr Sowden would prepare specifications that the Board might call for tenders. From Mr W. Jameson, stating he had been directed by the Government agent, Mr Rolleston, to enclose copy of letter from Chief Gaoler, Lyttelton, regarding piece of waste land adjoining the Gaol, and asking if the Council were prepared to part with land indicated. The following is the substance of enclosed letter from Chief - Gaoler to Government Agent —lt enclosed rough plan of waste ground between prison workshop yard, at back of prison and St. David street, stating that at present it was a useless gully, and requesting Government would confer re handing over aforesaid piece of land, so that the prison workshop’yards might be extended. If this were done, the steps might be improved at the top of Child’s road, which now stretched dangerously into St. David street—by setting concrete block steps, and building concrete Avail on boundary for the street and workshop yard; suggesting further that St. David street Avould be greatly improved if this Avork were done. From Mr C. R. Armstrong and Mr W. Jones, applying for the post of engineer for the Lyttelton Water Works. Respecting Mr Phillips’ letter, the Mayor said that, as it appeared the prisoners woidd be alloAved to work on the Governor’s Bay road till the end of the year, and it Avas estimated that the work could be finished in five months, the matter called for no special remark. Ci 1 . Alhvright said he heard the prisoners Avould bo allowed to do any Avork for the toAvn, not further than the Orphanage. On Saturday the prisoners did not go to Governor’s Bay road, and the works committee had therefore procured hammers and the prisoners would be employed in breaking metal for the Council or doing other necessary Avork on Saturdays and on partially Avct days. They were to commence breaking the metal next Saturday. Ho moved—“ That Mr Phillips’ letter be acknowledged, and that he be asked to ascertain from the Visiting Justices if the toAvn could have the services of the prisoners on Saturdays and wet days in the vicinity of

the gaol.” Agreed to. Respecting the letter from the Harbor Board, the foreman of works said he had prepared specifications of work in question and it had been approved, and the surveyor had visited the spot to survey the ground that day. In reference to the chief gaoler’s request regarding the waste land at the back of the gaol, there was long discussion, and it was eventually agreed ment Agent be informed that the Council are willing to part with the land in accordance with the 187th clause of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1866, that being the only legal method by which it could be done.” The applications for the post of engineer were ordered to stand over for future consideration. The yearly and half-yearly balance-sheets were received, with statements, &c., and auditor’s report, and ordered to be published, according to the Act. The Mayor read a report from the sub-committee appointed to meet fire prevention bodies, recommending that the suggestions from those bodies be agreed to, and a sum not exceeding £3O granted towards objects referred to in their suggestions. The following were the suggestions made :—“ That there should be a torchlight procession at night on the occasion of the opening of the Lyttelton waterworks, and that invitations be sent to all other fire brigades and fire police in the Canterbury district, after which there should bo a bonfire on the tunnel reserve to try the force of the water. That the Government be communicated with regarding late trains for convenience of Kniapoi and Rangiora, and also applying for free passes for fire prevention bodies. The whole cost of proceedings not to exceed £30.” The report was received. It was agreed to defer the consideration till Monday week. The report of the Clerk of Works was next read, it ran as follows : —I beg to report re Oxford street concrete channelling. The contractor for the channelling has hud considerable difficulty in procuring the suitable totara timber for the work. About nine chains are completed and two and a half chains have the bottom concrete in. The contractor has sufficient timber on hand to finish the contract. By direction of chairman of works committee the channelling is to bo extended on west return a little over a chain, and on east return about eighteen yards as far as the woodkerbing is laid. John Thomson, Clerk of Works.” It was agreed the special meet ing to consider and sign balance sheet, Ac., should take place on Tuesday next at 5 p.m. Regarding the application of the borough for land at Rakaia, the Mayor said the Government had granted the endowment subject to the approval of the next Parliament. Accounts amounting to £193 9s 2d were passed for payment. Cr. Hawkins reported that the new lampposts for the Council had been shipped at Glasgow in the Lurline in March last, and might be expected to arrive early in June. Tenders for the extension of the Oxford street culvert were opened, and that of Mi- J. Stinson for £7O was accepted. The Mayor stated that the water supply byelaws were being drawn up, and would be ready for laying before the Council at its next meeting. There was a long discussion respecting the advisableness of laying water supply pipes round Dumpier’s Bay, and it was eventually agreed that Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. be requested to order 3000 ft of 3in main pipes for this purpose. Cr. Parsons moved — “ That the services of the custodian of the bathing shed should be dispensed with during the winter months.” Agreed to. Cr. Holmes said he had been requested by several members of the Port Victoria Road Board to ask the Council to put down mile-posts from the Post-Office to the boundary of the borough, as they intended to erect mile-posts as far as Little River. It was determined that the work should bo done. Cr. Cunningham called attention to the necessity of metalling several of the streets. Cr. Cunningham spoke of the necessity of the immediate collection of the rates, and proposed that all rates not paid by May 15th should be sued for. This was seconded by Cr. McDonald. Cr. Allwright opposed the resolution ; lie thought the time given much too short. He begged to move as an amendment —“ That the time bo extended to June 15th.” This was seconded by Cr. Parsons. The amendment was carried. The question of appointing licensed porters was then considered, and a long discussion ensued, it being stated that the most extortionate charges were occasionally made. The clerk was instructed to look up reports and papers on the subject, in order that it might be fully considered next meeting. Tiro question as to revenue from dog tax was next discussed, and the clerk was ordered to write to the police requesting them to enforce its payment. Cr. Allwright spoke regarding the fact of auctioneers being allowed to come from Christchurch, which town was situated in another county, and sell in Lyttelton without contributing anything to the revenue of the borough. It was resolved to obtain the solicitor’s opinion on the matter. Cr. Cunningham drew the attention of the Council to the fact that no steps were being taken to provide additional means of access from the Colonists’ Hall. He thought this a most important matter, and begged to move — “ That the clerk be instructed to write to the president of the Colonists’ Society, drawing his attention to the clause in the surveyor’s report regarding the necessity of providing greater facilities for egress from that building.” Agreed to. The Council then resolved itself into a Board of Health, and passed return according to Act. The adjournment then took place.